During his six-day stay in New York President Asif Ali Zardari held important meetings with President George W Bush, President Nicholas Sarkozi of France, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, President Abdullah Gul of Turkey, Premier Wen Jiabao of China, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India and Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kumar Dahal Prachanda.

The Information Minister described his meetings with President Bush, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Karzai as most important adding the country made significant progress in bilateral ties with these countries. The two sides agreed to further the peace process and open up trade through four points.

In his maiden address to the United Nations, the President sought international community’s moral, political and economic support to help fight terrorism, saying the security of the world lay in Pakistan’s stability. He also called for adopting a multi-faceted approach and socio-economic uplift to tackle the issue of terrorism head-on.

The President reiterated these views through an opinion piece in the Boston Globe. “We must fight this epic battle together as allies and as partners. But just as we will not let our territory be used by terrorism for attacks on our people and neighbours, we cannot allow our territory and sovereignty to be violated by friends,” he wrote.

The White House in return said it respects Pakistan’s democracy and sovereignty. The President also warned against any unilateral actions against Pakistan, saying such acts can inflame the passions. “Violating our nation’s sovereignty is not helpful in eliminating the terrorist menace. Indeed, this could have the opposite effect,” he said. The President also spoke of the heavy casualties that the country suffered in the ongoing war against terrorism.

The President also succeeded in getting the support from the World Bank following is meeting with President Robert Zoellick. He assured President Zardari of the financial institution commitment to Pakistan’s development and informed him that $ 1.337 billion new programmes were in pipeline for the current year.

These programmes include investments in energy, water, infrastructure besides support for development in FATA as well as pro-poor programmes in Pakistan. On Kashmir he said Pakistan completely shares the sentiments of the Kashmiri people and stands by their struggle for legitimate right of self-determination. He also spoke of the need of resolving the issue bilaterally for bringing lasting peace to the region.

Another major success of the visit was the the Friends of Pakistan (FoP) initiatve in which Pakistan was assured support in its fight against terrorism and well-coordinated international cooperation to help the country face the formidable challenges it was facing.

The Group comprising representatives from Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Turkey, representatives of the European Union and the United Nations under the chairmanship of President Zardari and Foreign Ministers of United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States vowed to work in strategic partnership with the Pakistan and other partners in areas of stability, development, border areas, energy and institution-building.

The Friends of Pakistan (FOP) initiative reflects the belief of major power centers that Pakistan’s political stability and development were essential for global security. The group also made clear their determination to support the government in its efforts to consolidate democracy and to enable the people to benefit from this historic opportunity.

The President also had meetings with Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, British Foreign Secretary David Milliband, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Madalene Albright, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, philanthropist George Soros.

President Zardari also unveiled the Bhutto Doctrine of Reconciliation and described it as an ultimate solution to bring in an era of peace and cooperation between East and West, avoid clash of civilizations and religions.

He said the doctrine focuses on the dual mission to combat dictatorship and terrorism, while promoting social and economic reform and justice for the people of Pakistan. President Zardari also described the Doctrine as the new century’s equivalent of the Marshall Plan that saved Europe after World War II. “Bhutto Doctrine’s pillar is that of an economically viable Pakistan that will be the centerpiece of the victory of pluralism over terrorism.”

Democratic vice presidential candidate Senator Joseph Biden had a telephonic talk with President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed US-Pakistan relations including his commitment to socio-economic development of the Pakistani people. Biden is architect of landmark legislation pending before Congress on enhancing socio-economic assistance for Pakistan to $ 1.5 billion annually over a period of ten years.

Input from Agencies

EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, condemned Sunday in the “strongest possible terms the despicable bomb attack” in which 60 people were killed and dozens more injured in front of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad yesterday. “I wish to convey my sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the Pakistani government. My thoughts are also with those who were injured, to whom I wish a prompt recovery,” said Solana in a statement.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul sent his condolences to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari following a terrorist bombing in Islamabad and strongly condemned the attack. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan also strongly condemned the terrorist attack and expressed his government’s support for Pakistan’s fight against terrorism.

A statement by the Presidential Press Center said on Sunday said that President Gul sent a message expressing his condolences to Pakistani President Zardari regarding the terrorist bombing at a hotel in Islamabad which killed several on Sept. 20. “I strongly condemn this appalling attack which aimed at spoiling domestic peace. I believe that those who waged this attack will be defeated by the national unity and communal compromise,” he said.

OTTAWA: Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada has condemned the bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad which killed at least 60 people on Saturday, and offered its support for the Pakistani government. According to statement, Canada “condemns the bomb attack and the appalling loss of life and injuries it has caused to so many innocent people.” “The use of violence and terror against innocent civilians must never be tolerated and we condemn those who have perpetrated this terrible act,” read the statement. It added that Canada “continues to stand beside the government and people of Pakistan in their fight against extremism and terror.

Indian premier condemns Islamabad bomb attack
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed his deep shock and sorrow over the attack at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad and condemned the act of terrorism. In his message to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani he said, “I write to express our deep shock and sorrow at yesterday’s attack at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad that has claimed so many innocent lives and injured many others.”

“We strongly condemn this act of terrorism. Such attacks are a grim reminder of the challenges we face from destructive forces which have pitted themselves against the values of democracy and pluralism and the voices of moderation.They threaten the peace, stability and development of each of us individually and all of us collectively. We must not allow such forces to succeed. They must be dealt with and brought to justice,” the Prime Minister said.

Japanese govt shocked over suicide attack
ISLAMABAD: The Japanese government expressed its deep shock over the suicide attack on Marriott Hotel in Islamabad which resulted in a large number of casualties. In a message of condolence on Sunday, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said, “We express sympathy for the victims and send condolences to their bereaved families. We also pray for the early recovery of injured.”

“The government of Japan firmly condemns these bombings as inexcusable acts. We pay our respect to and have supported the government of Pakistan which has tackled with war on terror while making enormous sacrifices,” the statement said. “We are resolved to continue our support to President Asif Ali Zardari and the government of Pakistan that declared their strong determination not to give way to this act of terrorism,” it added.

British Government condemns Islamabad bombing
LONDON:The British Government has condemned the bomb attack at Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel and termed the act as a “disgraceful attack without justification”. The British Foreign Secretary David Miliband commenting on the incident said, “This latest bombing attack in Islamabad is yet another shocking and disgraceful attack without justification. Such an indiscriminate and brutal act of terror deserves the condemnation of the entire international community”.

Expressing his deepest condolences and sympathies to those who have suffered as a result of this atrocity, the Foreign Secretary assured Pakistan of his Government’s continued support against terrorism and extremism. “We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Government of Pakistan against the violent extremists who have no answers but only offer death and mayhem. This horrific attack reinforces our shared determination to tackle violent extremism”.

China condemns hotel suicide bombing in Pakistan
BEIJING: China on Sunday condemned the terrorist attack on the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan. “China opposes terrorism of any kind. As the friendly neighbor and all-weather friend of Pakistan, China will continue to support the unremitting efforts of Pakistan’s government and people to maintain stability,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu.

She was responding to a question on the bomb laden truck that exploded outside the Marriott Hotel in central Islamabad that killed at least 60 people and injured more than 200 on Saturday. She said China expressed heartfelt condolences to the victims of the attack and extended sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the wounded.

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the secretary-general of the Saudi-based Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) described the attacks as “despicable terrorist actions completely contradict the praiseworthy precepts of Islam.” He called the perpetrators “the enemies of peace whom the international community must fight with all possible means.”

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who has long been at odds with Pakistan on the policing of the two countries’ shared border, called for an “honest struggle” to beat terrorism. “As long as this evil phenomenon is active in the region, terror, horror and explosions will continue,” he said in a statement.

Yemen has condemned Attacks
An officials source at the Foreign Ministry said that Yemen condemns seriously this terrorist attack. The source considered that this act as a confirmation that the terrorist network still forming critical evil threat to security and stability of a number of world countries, the matter which requires to boost security and intelligence cooperation at the regional and international level to confront and end its criminal acts. The source expressed Yemen and its leadership, government and people’s condolences to the Pakistani leadership, government and people, and for the victims’ families, confirming Yemen’s solidarity and its stand with Pakistani government in combating terrorism.

Input from Agencies

The Prime Minister said Pakistan wants stable and peaceful Afghanistan as it will help promote economic development in the region. He said Pakistan also wants early repatriation of Afghan refugees to their country with dignity and honour.

About illegal cross border movement, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan has taken several measures including setting up of nine hundred check posts and bio-metric system along the border. Pakistan is also ready to fence the border with Afghanistan and appreciated the Canadian help in this connection.-SANA

Planning is only in the discussion stages, but high-level sources says “broader options” than just a straight up purchase of more light armoured vehicles are being considered. The idea would be to pick a vehicle “somewhere between a battle tank and a light (armoured) vehicle” for soldiers to use in close combat. Gen. Rick Hillier, the chief of defence staff, said recently that the military is starting to look for a replacement for the LAV III, given the way the Afghan war is chewing up the army’s stock fighting vehicles.

The army is interested in buying the next generation of light armoured vehicle, known as the LAV-H, which is heavier, longer, better armoured and engineered with the lessons of Afghanistan in mind. But defence sources say that consideration is also being given to acquiring some kind of tracked carrier, possibly between 30 to 35 tonnes in weight. “The Americans, the Germans, the British and the Dutch, the Danes are all looking at their next families of vehicles (and) they’ll probably be track,” said one source.

American forces have for years used the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, which carries just as many soldiers and has the same 25 mm chain gun armament as a LAV. But the Bradley has much more armour to withstand bombs and runs on tracks, not wheels.-SANA

Troops from the county’s regiments have been a regular presence in Afghanistan since the conflict began. And Mr. Clegg said that the Army would have to remain there for a very long time yet before its work is done. He warned that destroying the country’s opium fields could push locals into the arms of the Taliban and raised concerns over soldier’s pay and the standard of their vehicles.

Mr. Clegg criticized the way military funding is prioritized. His comments follow concerns voiced to KOS Media by Admiral the Lord Boyce in December. The former chief of defense staff warned of a “huge imbalance” between military commitments and funding and claimed that the “slice of the country’s budget” spent on defense had shrunk. For the full interview with Mr. Clegg, see today’s Saturday Observer-SANA

She said that the unopposed election of Prime Minister, the election of the Speaker with big majority, appointment of the Leader of the Opposition within a month time and the timely formation of the N.A Standing Committees evinced the desire of the parliamentarian for strengthening democratic institutions and it also gave a very positive message to the people. She said that people were having great expectations from the new Parliament and it was committed to fulfill their expectations.
The Speaker apprised the Ambassador that the coalition Government followed the policy of reconciliation and was taking all the political forces along with it.

The Speaker said that poverty, illiteracy and unemployment were the major problems, the people of the country were confronting. She said that enhanced cooperation with friendly countries like Canada in the economic field will help Pakistan in its programme relating to poverty alleviation and jobs provision. She appreciated the assistance by Canada given for the development in various sectors, specially during the earthquake of Oct, 2005. The Speaker also apprised the Ambassador about the working of Parliament and its Standing Committees.

H.E. David B. Collins assured the Madam Speaker of his government’s economic assistance and support for strengthening democracy in Pakistan. He expressed his desire for the new parliament to complete its constitutional tenure. He also congratulated Madam Speaker for her election as first women speaker of Pakistan and Muslim World.

The Ambassador of Iran Mashallah Shakri also called on the Speaker, in the Parliament House today. Talking to the Ambassador the Speaker said that Pakistan values high its relations with Iran and both the countries have unanimity of views on all regional and global issues. The Speaker said that relations between the two fraternal countries were based on the strong bonds of religion, history and common cultural heritage.

Dr. Fehmida Mirza said that the Muslim world was confronting great challenges which could be faced successfully through forging unity amongst the Muslim countries. She underlined the need for strengthening and enhanced role of the OIC. The Speaker said that greater exchange of Parliamentary delegations was necessary to further strengthening relations between Iran and Pakistan. She also stressed the need for enhanced exchange businessmen, intellectuals and students delegations for increasing people to people contact. She said that it was encouraging that both the countries were aspiring for other to prosper and progress.

The Speaker said that energy shortage was the main problem confronting the new government and expressed optimism that the mega gas pipelines project between Pakistan, Iran and India will bring prosperity in the region. She also underlined the need for early convening of the meeting of the Ministerial Joint Economic Committee for increasing the volume of the trade between the two countries.

The Ambassador of Iran H.E. Mashallah Shakri said that enhanced cooperation between Iran and Pakistan will have greater impact on unity and solidarity of Islamic world. He said that Pakistan was a brotherly muslim country and Iran has always supported it on all regional and international forums. “Pakistan’s strength was Iran’s strength”, he said. The Ambassador congratulated Madam Speaker on her election as the first women Speaker of Pakistan and Islamic World and extended her, invitation to visit Iran.-SANA

The Canadian work on political solutions follows two separate tracks: tactical discussions at a local level in Kandahar, and strategic talks through the Kabul government and its allies. Neither type of negotiation appears to have made progress so far, though efforts are still in the early stages. In Kabul, the topic is under discussion within the Afghan government and among members of the Policy Action Group, a high-level committee that includes Canada, as major international players try to find agreement among themselves about so-called “red lines,” or parameters for talks with top Taliban commanders.

President Hamid Karzai has called for peace talks with Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, but there is heated debate about how such dialogue might affect Afghanistan’s constitution, laws and state structure. The Taliban have called for strict Islamic laws, for instance, and insurgent leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has suggested a rewriting of the constitution. Some participants in the discussions are even suggesting Taliban leaders should be given political posts, or control over districts or provinces, though this is fiercely contested.

The United States is said to want to maintain an ability to continue military operations in Afghanistan, which it views as crucial to the fight against al-Qaeda and other extremists. In Kandahar, the Canadian military seems to be moving cautiously toward smaller, more localized talks with insurgents. There’s little agreement among those with a stake in Afghanistan about whether to negotiate with the Taliban, and if so how to go about it. These are some of the positions.-SANA